Monday, April 10, 2017

Mercedes-AMG E63 (W213)

This is definitely the right time for Mercedes-AMG to unleash the fury of the most potent E-Class yet as the all-new Mercedes-AMG E63 goes into all-out war with its 4MATIC+ four-wheel drive system optimized for this mad saloon as well as the 4.0L V8 BiTurbo engine that gets even more interesting later on. Let's examine what's what about this mad E-Class and why you can expect to get envious over this.

2017 Mercedes-AMG E63
2017 Mercedes-AMG E63

At first glance, it looks more like your basic W213 Mercedes E-Class but because this is the AMG E63 we're talking about, it's got some basic AMG cosmetic treatment to ensure the madness within inside and out, making it an all-out executive saloon fit enough for a certain mob elite to wield their power over others.

Wielding the power of the new E63 is the 4.0L V8 BiTurbo engine, which is as small as the previous 5.5L V8 BiTurbo engine it replaces but when you get to the more interesting S model, the power output is 612PS and 850Nm of torque, more than what the old E63's V8 produces and sounds like more of a major plot twist for an action thriller flick. With the nine-speed AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT, it does 0-100kph in 3,4 seconds and it is electronically limited to 250kph or with an additional extra, the limit can be raised up to 50kph more, resulting to 300kph (187mph) of top speed. Sounds fast but it's not quick enough to beat the king of super saloons, the Dodge Charger Hellcat.

Let's not forget that unlike the one I said earlier, the new E63 comes with four-wheel drive but if you need a quick recap about the old E63 S 4MATIC a few years ago, this thing feels like you're struggling to follow through the right lines and it feels like getting a small hard ball dropped to your sensitive foot and you can feel the pain from within. You get the point but the issue has been resolved because the new 4MATIC+ four-wheel drive system offers improved handling capabilities and the addition of the cool new Drift Mode which works like the new Ford Focus RS as well. Both axles are now fully variable so torque distribution is seamless, allowing it to behave either as a rear-wheel drive or a four-wheel drive at any conditions and above all, you can't get enough making donuts on an open space without all the grippy fuss from the past.

With the new 4MATIC+, three-chamber air suspension system, rear differential lock, AMG Sport speed-sensitive steering, and the AMG high-performance braking system, not to mention the reinforced bodywork, the new Mercedes-AMG E63 truly comes out alive in the track like a touring car in suits and ties. It can be as thrilling as True Lies but can be as subtle as Mrs. Doubtfire when taken on the normal road and because this is like the new E-Class, all that safety mumbo-jumbo is included, especially the grouchy DRIVE PILOT semi-autonomous driving system that feels like this car's in charge, not you. Oh, please...

The new Mercedes-AMG E63 starts at 109,837 Euros plus delivery and tax and while this is as expensive as any other high-performance German saloons in its heydays, rest assured that it's going to inspire a whole new competition of high-performance AWD German sports saloons. The days of having a high-performance German executive saloon is now gone and now, a new competition has risen, thanks to the new Mercedes-AMG E63. Let's wait until BMW responds with the new M5 very soon, complete with the new V8 Turbo and AWD like the one as seen on the new E63. This can get very interesting.

Photo: Daimler AG

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